Economical heating without a thermostat

MoneyMaths

Hi,

In my current rented flat, I have a combi boiler but no thermostat. This means I control my heating entirely through the flow temperature (on a dial from 0 to 6) of the boiler for the radiators; I can't use a timer or a cut-off temperature. I wanted to ask for some advice on how to use a system like this economically and what I should be doing with it when away (I can't afford to leave it on constantly when away, but does this risk the pipes freezing even with keeping the main flow on?). Would it be best to constantly have the radiators on a lower flow temperature or use short periods of high temperature?

Thank you for any advice 

Keep_pedalling

Seems rather odd, I would be demanding your LL fits a thermostat the system should have one. 

flaneurs_lobster

Any chance your landlord could be persuaded of the advantages of fitting a thermostat?

Maybe couch the argument as you being able to leave things on tickover when away rather than turning the heating off fully thus minimising any chance of burst pipe damage to THEIR property?

Vitor

You are within your rights to ask the letting agent/landlord to fit a basic room thermostat or timer. They are inexpensive, reduce energy use, and landlords often agree when it is framed as protecting the property from frost damage as well as lowering bills.

NB Since 2018, new or replacement boilers must be fitted with time and temperature controls to comply with Building Regulations (Part L). If your landlord installed or replaced the boiler after that point and omitted a thermostat or timer, that would be non-compliant.

BikingBud

Not being flippant but what are the advantages of a stat that manages all of the heating?

Logically, if the rads have TRVs and the boiler is set to an efficient setting on return temp then what added value does a room stat give?

We know room stats and TRV are often in conflict so why not remove it and let the TRVs do the work.

I see the value in a timer, temp set back during the working day and overnight, but not supplementary stats that might be in conflict.

flaneurs_lobster

BikingBud said:

Not being flippant but what are the advantages of a stat that manages all of the heating?

Logically, if the rads have TRVs and the boiler is set to an efficient setting on return temp then what added value does a room stat give?

We know room stats and TRV are often in conflict so why not remove it and let the TRVs do the work.

I see the value in a timer, temp set back during the working day and overnight, but not supplementary stats that might be in conflict.

Rather supposes that the rads have TRVs fitted, but you make a good point.

MoneyMaths

Thank you all for the advice so far! Every time I have approached my landlord/property management about a thermostat, they have not responded, so not much luck on that front.  :'( Though I do have them coming out for a separate issue soon, so I might try again in person.

I also only have a TRV on one radiator out of four.

BikingBud

What does your EPC state?

energy-efficiency-regulations

domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance

Jemma01

MoneyMaths said:

Thank you all for the advice so far! Every time I have approached my landlord/property management about a thermostat, they have not responded, so not much luck on that front.  :'( Though I do have them coming out for a separate issue soon, so I might try again in person.

I also only have a TRV on one radiator out of four.

Like @flaneurs_lobster said, since you've asked and was ignored, I would tell the landlord that I'm leaving for sometime and if a pipe bursts it is on them not fitting a thermostat so you can control the temperature in your absence. Remind them insurance companies will look for signs of negligence, esp that some have policies that temperatures need to be maintained. Let alone mould could grow on the walls. Have it in writing, don't just speak to them when they visit. You need a record.

Qyburn

BikingBud said:

Not being flippant but what are the advantages of a stat that manages all of the heating?

Logically, if the rads have TRVs and the boiler is set to an efficient setting on return temp then what added value does a room stat give?

A thermostat would switch off the whole system once the setpoint is reached. Otherwise boiler and pump are running pointlessly even if all TRVs are satisfied and closed.

It needs to be sited in a sensible place, not such that a nearby TRV would mean the temperature never reaches the thermostat's setpoint. Or, the issue we have, not in a room with some other heat source unrelated to the CH. You don’t ant lighting the stove to switch off heating everywhere.

glennevis

BikingBud said:

Not being flippant but what are the advantages of a stat that manages all of the heating?

Logically, if the rads have TRVs and the boiler is set to an efficient setting on return temp then what added value does a room stat give?

We know room stats and TRV are often in conflict so why not remove it and let the TRVs do the work.

I see the value in a timer, temp set back during the working day and overnight, but not supplementary stats that might be in conflict.

When I moved in to my current house there was no thermostat on the combi boiler though there are TRVs on all but one rad.

Without a room stat the boiler would fire up and continue running until the boiler's internal thermal cutout kicked in. Initially this could be for 2-3 hours. After a while when it had cooled down a bit it would fire up again, repeating until switched off at the mains. I was never very confortable with that situation which felt like I was thrashing the boiler.

So for a tenner I fitted a manual dial thermostat. Money well spent. Now the bolier operates as it should, firing up once or twice an hour, performing well within its operating parameters. And yes, it does use less gas.